Down & dirty soil amendments main product of The Good Earth Organics
From our weekly issue dated April 16, 2008
Roy Leon (Photo by Zina Booth, Illinois Valley News)
Phoenix Organic recently made a special delivery of certified compost, approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for organic crop production.
Customers including the president of Illinois Valley Garden Club; and a truck with a Harmony Gardens logo loaded up with black gold at The Good Earth Organics, said Roy and Barbara Leon.
They opened The Good Earth Organics on Airport Drive in rural Cave Junction as a new business in March because “there seemed to be a need for organic gardening products.”
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While living in Jacksonville, the Leons realized that everyone they liked and bonded with lived in Illinois Valley. Three years ago, they decided to relocate, and now own and operate A-1 Affordable Backhoe services.
When friends admired their garden they were told, “It’s the soil -- you like to have a fluffy bed to lay on, why wouldn’t your plants want to?”
Roy is used to the clay in the area and can give suggestions on ways to build up soil. “Adding compost and organic fertilizers should take care of most problems” he advises.
Choose custom blends, such as adding pumice, similar to perlite, a natural rock that breaks up clay soil and retains water, he said, and added:
Amend and enhance soil with products such as bat guano, bone or feather meal. Liquid fish fertilizer does wonders for tomatoes. Greensand is an excellent soil conditioner that adds structure to sandy soils and loosens clay.
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Compost, chicken manure, feather & bone meal are recommended for container and raised beds.
All the preceding products, plus all-purpose fertilizer, potting soil, glacial rock dust, rock phosphate, chicken manure and worm castings are now available at The Good Earth Organics.
Leon makes deliveries up to 6 yards in his truck, and can arrange for larger deliveries. Delivery charges vary depending on location within Illinois Valley.
Roy Leon (Photo by Zina Booth, Illinois Valley News)
Customers can save more by bringing their own vehicle, and custom blends can be mixed by using the truck and a backhoe.
“As far as loading compost or pumice or custom blends,” said Roy, “the following applies: Saturday is our scheduled loading day, but if someone can’t make it on Saturday or for very large orders they should contact us at 592-4496, 840-9352, or 415-2975 to make special arrangements.”
Regular business hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturdays 9-5.
The Good Earth Organic is located at 30088 Redwood Hwy, 4 miles south of Cave Junction. Turn on Airport Drive and go to the first building on the left side of the road: “Look for signs.”
~Zina Booth
